Last Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano declared the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico ìa spill of national significance.
The situation presents one of the greatest potential threats to our local economy and environment weíve faced and I am deeply concerned.
As of April 30, the damaged oil well was leaking 5,000 barrels, or over 200,000 gallons, of oil a day. The growing oil slick is already washing ashore along the Louisiana coast.
For a region which is home to 30 percent of U.S. crude oil production and over 10 percent of natural gas production, the Gulf of Mexico has experienced relatively few accidents that have threatened our coastal communities and the ecosystem. But no place is totally immune from a catastrophic event.
On April 28, I met with Lamar McKay, president and chairman of BP America in my office in Washington. I called upon him to expend every effort to stabilize the situation in the Gulf.
Mr. McKay was unequi-vocal in his commitment to use every resource that BP — and the entire oil and gas industry — has to stop the leak and to prioritize both containment and clean-up from this unfortunate accident.
Additionally, I am in contact with the federal agencies involved and have plans to fly out over the site with the Coast Guard as soon as possible.
Naturally, my office has also been in close communication with our local and state emergency management team, as well as our coastal leaders.  While everyone realizes this spill has the potential to be as devastating to the Gulf Coast as a major hurricane, our hopes and prayers are certainly that it will not be.
As you can imagine, the entire regional economy could be affected, from shrimpers, to oystermen, commercial and recreational fishermen, restaurateurs, hotel and condominium resort managers, and realtors, to name just a few.
I have encouraged BP to use every option available to contain and control this substantial and growing oil spill.
Please visit my website at http://bonner.house.gov for further updates on the spill and federal and local efforts to address damage and clean-up.
No Congressional
Pay Raise:
In these tough economic times Congress should not be raising its pay.  I believe that lawmakers should lead by example.  Accordingly, last Thursday I joined 401 other members of the U.S. House in voting to deny Congress a pay raise this year.  This represents the second year in a row that Congress has barred itself from receiving a pay increase.
My staff and I work for you. If we can ever be of service, do not hesitate to call my office toll free at 1-800-288-8721 or visit my website, bonner.house.gov.
For release the week of May 3, 2010. For more information, please contact Mike Lewis at (202) 225-4931.